Brown & Double White Belt (1st Kyu)

• The student completes the entire syllabus correctly and independently.
• Techniques are consistently excellent, precise and fully developed.
• The student uses mature and efficient body mechanics to generate their techniques.
• Hip rotation and hip vibration are sharp, effective and correctly applied throughout.
• Stance transitions are smooth, powerful and controlled.
• All kicks and kicking combinations demonstrate excellent chamber, extension, hiki-ashi, recovery, balance and control.
• Technical accuracy is maintained at full speed and power.
• The student demonstrates exceptional timing, coordination and fluency.
• The student demonstrates outstanding focus, intensity, maturity and Black Belt spirit.
• The overall performance clearly stands out from the normal 1st Kyu standard.

• The student declares and completes either Bassai Dai or Jion correctly and independently.
• The student demonstrates five or six Kata qualities, including Technique:
  • Technique
  • Dynamics
  • Eye direction
  • Timing
  • Kime
  • Zanshin
• Dynamics includes effective body use, balance, power generation and fluid and efficient transitions between techniques.
• The performance demonstrates mature technique, power, focus and intent and clearly stands out at 1st Kyu level.

Jiyu Ippon Kumite

• The student completes all required attacks and defensive sequences correctly and independently on both sides.
• The student demonstrates technically excellent and explosive Yori Ashi shifting.
• The student uses their shift with excellent timing and distance while maintaining strong Kamae, posture, balance and control.
• The student demonstrates five or six of:
  • Aim
  • Distance
  • Pressure
  • Control
  • Timing
  • Technique

Jiyu Kumite

• The student demonstrates highly effective free sparring.
• They use varied punches, kicks, levels and combinations.
• They attack and defend proactively and counterattack effectively.
• They demonstrate excellent movement, timing and distance.
• The student shows tactical awareness, adaptability, composure and perseverance.
• Their sparring demonstrates confidence, skill and controlled flair while maintaining touch contact.

• The student completes the entire syllabus correctly and independently.
• The student demonstrates consistently strong technique produced through correct and well-developed body mechanics.
• Hip rotation and hip vibration are used effectively.
• Stance transitions are smooth and controlled.
• Kicks and combinations show good chamber, hiki-ashi, recovery and coordination.
• The student maintains good technical quality while demonstrating speed and power.
• The student performs with maturity, confidence, focus, intensity and developing Black Belt spirit.
• The overall performance is clearly above the expected passing standard.

• The student completes their chosen Kata correctly and independently.
• The student demonstrates three or four of the six Kata qualities.
• The student demonstrates good, consistently developed technique and body dynamics.
• The performance shows clear power, focus, spirit and maturity.

Jiyu Ippon Kumite

• The student completes the required sparring correctly and independently on both sides.
• The student demonstrates good, consistent and effective Yori Ashi shifting.
• The shift is used purposefully to manage distance and pressure.
• The student demonstrates three or four of the six Kumite qualities.

Jiyu Kumite

• The student demonstrates a good understanding of free sparring.
• They use a useful range of attacks and combinations.
• They defend proactively and attempt effective counterattacks.
• Their movement and management of distance are generally good.
• The student demonstrates good composure, spirit, perseverance and control.

Jiyu Kumite does not receive a separate mark. The main Kumite mark is determined by Jiyu Ippon Kumite, with the free sparring used to support the final decision. A strong Jiyu Kumite performance may move a borderline mark upwards, while a particularly weak performance may move a borderline mark downwards.

• The student completes the entire syllabus correctly and independently.
• The student demonstrates good, developed technique.
• Correct body mechanics and dynamics are consistently present.
• Hip rotation and hip vibration are used appropriately.
• Stance transitions are correct and controlled.
• Kicks and combinations demonstrate correct chamber, hiki-ashi, recovery and coordination.
• The student demonstrates some appropriate speed, power, focus and intensity.
• The overall performance demonstrates the technical standard expected from a student entering the final stage of preparation for Black Belt.

At this grade, simply completing the movements is not enough. A particularly weak or underdeveloped performance may fall below the minimum standard even where the syllabus can be completed.

• The student completes their chosen Kata correctly and independently.
• The student demonstrates one or two of the six Kata qualities at a good 1st Kyu standard.

OR

• The student subsequently completes their chosen Kata correctly following a formal further attempt.

The student must still demonstrate the minimum technical understanding and development expected at the final Kyu grade.

Jiyu Ippon Kumite

• The student completes the required sparring correctly and independently on both sides.
• Correct Yori Ashi shifting is integrated into the performance.
• The student maintains appropriate Kamae, balance, posture and control.
• The student demonstrates one or two of the six Kumite qualities at a good standard.
• The remaining qualities are satisfactory for 1st Kyu.

Jiyu Kumite

The student demonstrates all of the basic foundations of free sparring:

• They make meaningful attacking attempts.
• They use punches and kicks and attempt combinations where appropriate.
• They defend proactively rather than consistently shying away from attacks.
• They attempt to counterattack.
• They move appropriately and adjust their distance.
• They continue to engage and persevere throughout the rounds.
• They maintain safe touch contact and appropriate control.

Jiyu Kumite does not receive a separate mark. The main Kumite mark is determined by Jiyu Ippon Kumite, with the free sparring used to support the final decision. A strong Jiyu Kumite performance may move a borderline mark upwards, while a particularly weak performance may move a borderline mark downwards.

• The student cannot complete the required Kihon correctly after the permitted attempts; or
• The student is able to complete the syllabus but does not demonstrate the minimum technical development, body mechanics and dynamics expected at 1st Kyu.

• The student cannot complete their chosen Kata correctly after the permitted attempts; or
• The student completes the sequence but does not demonstrate the minimum technical understanding and development expected at this grade.

The student may fail the Kumite element where:

• They cannot complete the required Jiyu Ippon Kumite correctly after the permitted attempts.
• They cannot demonstrate correct Yori Ashi shifting.
• Their set sparring lacks the minimum technical standard, engagement or control expected at 1st Kyu.
• Their overall Kumite performance fails to demonstrate the basic foundations of free sparring.
• They fail to attack, defend, counterattack or move appropriately.
• Their contact or behaviour creates a safety concern for themselves or their partner.

A weak Jiyu Kumite performance would not normally cause a fail on its own, but it may confirm a failed Kumite result where the Jiyu Ippon Kumite performance is already below the required standard.